21 Days of Clarity: Day 21

Day 21: Sunday, January 31, 2016

Join us every day as we develop the spiritual habit of reading God’s Word – The Divine Map and learn to follow the Divine Guide – the Holy Spirit as He navigates us through the confusing times we live with clarity and peace.

THE DIVINE MAP READING

Navigate James 1:5-7 (TLB)

If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; He will not resent it. But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.

To gain clarity in confusing times we need wisdom – God’s wisdom, especially when we are going through painful trials like James spoke about in the first few verses of this letter. Why ask for wisdom? Why not ask for the trials to go away or for strength to endure them? We need wisdom so we won’t waste the opportunities God is using to mature us; wisdom to use the circumstances for good and God’s glory.

James not only tells us to ask for wisdom, but he explains how we are to ask. He says, when you ask God, be sure that you really expect Him to tell you. That means we must ask in faith. Know that when you ask, God is ready to answer and supply all the wisdom you need. We don’t need to doubt God’s desire to respond or His ability to do so. James says that when we doubt we are like a cork being bounced around by the waves of the sea, driven and tossed by the winds of circumstance and pressure. One translation calls this being “double-minded.” Our faith wants to believe and instill confidence that God will answer but then doubt comes and creates unbelief. Peter experienced that when he walked on the water toward Jesus but when he took his eyes off of Christ and became distracted by the wind and the waves, he quit walking by faith and began to sink. He was double-minded. Have you ever felt like that? That kind of doubt causes us to be up one minute and down the next. It creates instability and stress.

PRAY

As you pray for wisdom and clarity in your decisions, pray in faith, with the confidence that your Heavenly Father will gladly tell you. James says, God is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him. He never resents our request! Let that encourage you today as you pray for wisdom. Believe that God not only hears you but will answer you. Thank God for His abundant supply to give you all you need.

CHART

What is God showing you through today’s Bible reading?

In what ways have you found yourself tossed back and forth with faith and doubt? How can you take that uncertainty to God and live a more consistent life of faith? As you do, in what ways do you see God coming through for you and developing your maturity in Christ?

Congratulations on completing your 21 Days of Clarity! Great job! You’ve come a long way and have grown spiritually in your walk with Christ. We would love to hear how God has given you clarity and wisdom in the uncharted waters of your life in the process. If you joined us a little later in the journey, feel free to refer back to the days you may have missed. They will be in the WC App to open at your convenience. Continue your journey of faith! Join us each day for an encouraging word of Scripture to start your day.